Grange miss out on final berth to a superior Cobh

Cobh 2-11 Grange 1-8

COBH with a very well balanced side proved too good for Grange on Sunday in the County JBFC Inter Divisional semi-final at Dungourney.

The winners helped by an early goal by Jack Ronan led all through. Cian Spriggs added a point before Grange replied with points by Colin Scott and Brian Garry by the 15th minute.

Cobh added two points by Cian Spriggs. Grange came close to a goal but Colin Scott’s effort was well saved by Eddie Walsh. Both defences were very solid with both being off target a few times.

In the 28th minute Grange had a goal when the Scott brothers were at the end of a four man attack with Darragh putting his brother Colin in for a well taken goal 1-3 to 1-2. In the dying moments Cobh finished well with pointed frees by Cian Spriggs and Conor Farrell as they led 1-5 to 1-2 at the break.

On the resumption Cobh hit a purple patch. Rapid points by Cian Spriggs, Conor Farrell and Jack Ronan opened up a six point lead 1-8 to 1-2. Grange never gave up. They had two points entering the final quarter by Alan McNamara.

Adam McCarthy replied with a Cobh point before George Keating with a 50th minute goal set Cobh on their way to the final when moving 2-9 to 1-4 clear. Grange continued to battle to the end.

They had four more points in the last 10 minute but it was Cobh with late points by Cian Spriggs and Mark Foley that held out for a six point win in the end. Best for Cobh Darren Tallon, Conor McLoughlan, Darragh Kelleher, Alan Walley, Cian Spriggs, and Conor Farrell.

For Grange Noel Barry, Brian Garry, Darren Roche, Alan McNamara and the Scott brothers were best.

COBH: E Walsh, P Kearney, D Tallon, D O’Connell, M O’Connor, C McLoughlan, J McCarthy, A Walley, D Kelleher, M Foley 0-1, C Spriggs 0-6 (0-4f) A McCarthy 0-1, J Ronan 1-1, C Farrell 0-2 (0-1f) S Hilliard Subs: P Carey for M O’Connor, D O’Connor for A McCarthy G Keating 1-0, for J Ronan, D Keating for C Farrell

GRANGE: N Cashman, P Howard, N Barry 0-2 (0-1f) B Cashman 0-1f, T Hynes 0-1, M Hennessy, Darren Roche, P Stapleton, Devon Roche, N McCarthy, J Roche, D Scott, C Scott 1-1, B Garry 0-1, A McNamara 0-2 Subs: C O’Halloran for M Hennessy (inj) S O’Halloran for J Roche, C Kane for B Garry

REFEREE: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven)